Recent study suggested that a period of careful eating and regular exercise can stave off diabetes for a decade. US researchers followed up nearly 3,000 overweight people who had taken part in a three year diabetes prevention programme. This group had initially been divided into three – assigned either to a diet and exercise programme, the diabetes drug metformin or a placebo, or given access to ongoing lifestyle coaching once the initial three year trial had ended.

The report notes it was the dieters who reaped the most benefit. US-based Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group, had shown a diet aimed at achieving 7% weight loss, combined with half an hour of exercise five days a week, reduced the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58% compared with the placebo group. While, the group on metformin a drug which has been used to treat the condition since the 1950s saw their risk decline by nearly a third.

In the seven years after the trial ended, both the drug and placebo groups – now also eating more carefully and exercising – saw the rate of diabetes fall. But the most significant drop was among those who had started out on a diet and exercise regime – their risk was over a third lower than the placebo group.

There is clearly no easy route to take to prevent Type 2 diabetes but indications are that with further research into the long-term benefits of good dietary advice, physical activity and, where necessary drug therapies, we may be a step closer into helping people at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes modify their lifestyle choices that are sustainable in the longer term.